Abstract

Satellite-derived sea surface temperature (SST) is an important parameter in oceanography,
meteorology and climatology. Comparisons of satellite and in situ measurements for different
areas and periods, as well as of different sensors, still exhibit considerable mutual differences.
The goal of this thesis is derivation of algorithms and coefficients of improved precision and
accuracy for satellite estimate of Adriatic Sea surface temperature, based on analysis of the
atmospheric and marine influences as well as characteristics of the instruments. To reach this
goal all available satellite SST data (AATSR, AVHRR, MODIS ) for the period between 2003
and 2008 and in situ SST data from drifters (2003), a platform (2004) and ships (2003 and
2004) were used together with auxiliary satellite data (wind, water vapour, aerosol).
Atmospheric profiles of temperature and water vapour from ECMWF ERA-40 project were
used for deriving simulated AVHRR brightness temperatures using atmospheric radiative
transfer model (RTTOV). Regression of observed and simulated brightness temperatures
against reference SST measurements (in situ, AATSR, model) provided new coefficients and
algorithms for the Adriatic SST estimates. It was shown that monthly variable coefficients for
AVHRR SST algorithm based on AATSR measurements provided highest accuracy and
precision. This algorithm was therefore used in deriving monthly SST fields needed to
perform spatio-temporal analysis (EOF) of Adriatic SST in the period between 2003 and
2008.